Fish Handling Foreman

Job Title: Fish Handling Foreman
Department: Lake Operations
Reports To:Fish Handling Supervisor / Farm Manager
Location: Kagano
Contract Type: Full-time, on-site

About Kivu Choice:

Kivu Choice is Rwanda’s largest protein producer and one of the fastest-growing aquaculture companies in Africa. Founded in 2022, Kivu Choice is the sister company to Victory Farms, East Africa’s leading aquaculture platform based in Kenya. The company operates a fully vertically integrated aquaculture model, encompassing hatchery operations, cage-based grow-out, processing, distribution, and sales. Kivu Choice is also one of the country’s largest employers, with over 700 employees, and plans to grow to 1,200 employees within the next three years, reflecting its strong commitment to job creation and inclusive economic development. Over the next five years, Kivu Choice aims to scale into Africa’s largest and most sustainable protein producer, producing and distributing 30,000 tons of fish annually for the Rwandan market and for export across the region.

Job Purpose

The fish handling foreman is tasked with supervising and coordinating all fish handling activities, ensuring that fish are handled safely, efficiently, and with minimum stress, injury, or mortality. The role leads the fish handling team during counting, grading, sampling, transfers, stocking, harvesting assist, and other fish movement activities while ensuring compliance with company SOPs, biosecurity, health, and safety requirements.

Key Responsibilities

1. Fish Handling & Operations

• Supervise and organize daily fish handling activities and teams.
• Ensure fish are handled correctly to minimize stress, injury, and mortality.
• organize fish transfers between cages.
• assist grading, sampling, crowding, harvesting, stocking, and emergency fish handling activities.
• track fish condition and promptly report abnormalities, injuries, or unusual mortalities.
• Ensure accurate counting, weighing, and recording of fish and biomass.
• Ensure all fish handling activities are carried out according to approved SOPs and biosecurity requirements.

2. Equipment Management

• Ensure proper use and handling of fish handling equipment.
• Ensure nets, tanks, pumps, weighing equipment, and other tools are clean, functional, and properly maintained.
• detect equipment problems and report them promptly to management.
• Ensure equipment is safely stored and available when required.

3. Team Leadership & Supervision

• Allocate duties to team members and track their performance.
• Supervise the daily activities and productivity of the fish handling team.
• Train and coach team members on proper fish handling techniques.
• Ensure team members follow company procedures, safety requirements, and biosecurity standards.
• Promote discipline, teamwork, and a safe working environment.

4. Fish Welfare & Biosecurity

• Ensure proper fish handling practices are followed to reduce stress and mortality.
• track fish welfare during transfers, grading, harvesting, and other handling activities.
• Ensure compliance with company biosecurity procedures.
• keep clean and safe working areas before, during, and after operations.
• Report any incidents or deviations from SOPs to the relevant supervisor or Farm Manager.

5. Reporting & Record Keeping

• Record and verify fish numbers, biomass, mortalities, and transfer information.
• produce accurate daily reports covering:
• Fish handled and transferred.
• Number of fish and estimated biomass.
• Mortalities and injuries.
• Handling activities completed.
• Equipment issues.
• Labor and operational challenges.
• Any incidents or deviations from SOPs.
• Ensure reports are accurate and submitted on time.
• detect operational challenges and communicate them promptly to management.

 6. Health, Safety & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with company health, safety, and environmental procedures.
• detect and report workplace hazards and operational risks.
• Ensure team members use appropriate safety procedures and equipment.
• keep a clean, safe, and organized working environment.
• Perform any other duties related to fish production and handling as assigned.

7. Key Performance Areas (KPIs)

• Low fish handling mortality and injury.
• Accurate fish counts and biomass records.
• Efficient completion of scheduled fish transfers and handling activities.
• Proper maintenance and availability of fish handling equipment.
• Team productivity and discipline.
• Accurate and timely reporting.
• Compliance with SOPs, biosecurity, and safety requirements.

Qualifications & Experience

• A degree in aquaculture, fisheries, agriculture, or a related field is advantageous.
• Minimum 1–2 years of experiencein aquaculture, fisheries, fish handling, or a similar production environment.
• Previous supervisory or team-leader experience is preferred.
• Practical experience with fish transfers, grading, harvesting, weighing, and counting is advantageous.

Technical Skills

• Good knowledge of fish handling and welfare practices.
• Ability to operate and keep fish handling equipment.
• Understanding of fish stress, mortality prevention, and basic fish welfare.
• Ability to accurately count, weigh, and record fish.
• Basic understanding of biomass calculations and production records.
• Knowledge of workplace safety and biosecurity procedures.

Leadership & Personal Competencies

• Strong leadership and team-management skills.
• Good communication and reporting skills.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet production targets.
• Good attention to detail and accuracy.
• Strong problem-solving ability.
• Physically fit and comfortable working outdoors and around water.
• Reliable, disciplined, and safety-conscious.
• Willingness to work flexible hours, including weekends and early mornings when required.

Reporting Requirements

• Fish handled and transferred.
• Number of fish and estimated biomass.
• Mortalities and injuries.
• Handling activities completed.
• Equipment issues.
• Labor and operational challenges.
• Any incidents or deviations from SOPs.

How to Apply

If you are interested in this position, please produce the following:

• Job application letter.
• Curriculum Vitae (CV).
• Copy of your degree and other academic qualifications.
• Copy of your ID.

How to apply:Send all the required documents torecruiting@kivuchoice.com .

Submission Deadline: 5th November 2026.

• Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis as they are submitted.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.